Fire, Lightning and Explosion: The Core Covers of Home Insurance

Many people reading a Turkish home insurance policy for the first time get lost in pages of covers. Yet the structure underneath is fairly simple. Home insurance grew out of fire insurance, and fire, lightning and explosion (infilak in Turkish policies) still form the core. Most other covers are added on top of this core. This guide explains the three and what they mean in practice.

Fire cover: well known, often misunderstood

Fire cover pays for physical damage to the building and contents caused by a fire in your home. The source might be an electrical fault, a pan left on the hob or flames spreading from a neighbouring flat. Depending on the policy, damage from smoke and soot during a fire and from the water used to put it out may also be assessed under this cover.

One point matters: fire cover is generally meant for sudden, accidental events. Deliberate fires, slow deterioration from long-term heat, or problems caused by lack of maintenance may appear as exclusions. That is why it is worth reading the exclusions section of your own policy.

Lightning cover: not only a strike on the roof

A direct strike can damage the roof, chimney or façade, and that is the obvious case. The indirect effects matter too. Lightning hitting a power line can cause a surge that damages the electronics in your home. Whether this kind of electrical damage is treated under lightning cover or under a separate electronic equipment cover varies between policies.

Explosion cover and the extras on top

Explosion is an important risk in homes using natural gas. A gas leak from a combi boiler, water heater or hob can cause an explosion that damages your flat and the ones around it. Explosion cover pays for damage from such sudden events. For summer houses using gas cylinders and older buildings with old installations, check that this cover exists and what conditions apply.

On top of the core, home policies usually include, or can add:

• Internal water damage: burst or overflowing pipes inside the home.
• Storm and hail: wind damage to the roof, windows and façade.
• Flood: water entering from outside.
• Vehicle and aircraft impact: for example a car hitting the building.
• Smoke: sudden smoke damage without a fire.
• Earthquake: for building value above DASK, Turkey’s compulsory earthquake insurance, and for contents.
• Theft, glass breakage and liability: offered as options in most package policies.

Three scenarios and some prevention

A small kitchen fire

Oil left on the hob catches fire, the cupboards and ceiling are damaged and soot covers the rest of the flat. Fire cover can pay for the kitchen repair and, depending on the policy, the cleaning. If the contents value was set correctly, damaged belongings can also be compensated.

Lightning on a stormy night

Lightning strikes a nearby power line and your TV and modem stop working. Whether this is paid depends on how your policy defines electrical damage.

A gas explosion next door

An explosion in the neighbouring flat damages your walls and windows. The explosion cover in your own policy is the first place to claim for your own building and belongings; the other party’s liability is assessed separately.

Prevention helps too. Have old wiring checked, avoid overloading power strips, service your boiler regularly and keep a fire blanket and a small extinguisher in the kitchen. Smoke detectors give early warning at night. Some insurers may view such measures favourably, so mention them when you ask for a quote.

Questions to ask about your policy

1. Are the building and contents values up to date?
2. Are smoke and firefighting water damage covered after a fire?
3. How is indirect lightning damage to electronics treated?
4. Is there a deductible, and how does it apply?
5. Are debris removal and temporary accommodation included?

The answers depend on the policy terms, and your agent is the best source. To compare covers and quotes, visit our Maslak home insurance page. Call Ailenizin Sigortacısı on +90 530 375 89 61 or send a WhatsApp message for support in English.